Chapter 3
According to word spread by servants, Seraphine passed out not long after they had left.
When Dexaldir heard about it, he quickly went to Azena's palace.
For once, his attitude was unusually amiable. He even sat down to have some tea. When he saw Azena, he immediately stood up.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"What makes you think I'll help you?"
Dexaldir was a little surprised to hear the disdain in Azena's tone.
Then, he sighed and said, "I know you're still mad, but I have a temper of my own. From now on, as long as you behave, you and I can still be respectful to each other after our marriage."
Azena furrowed her brows, wondering what would make Dexaldir bow down to her. She asked, "What do you want?"
Dexaldir was secretly delighted. He knew that Azena was still throwing a tantrum.
When he spoke once more, he resumed his usual aloof self.
"I want your divine core. Seraphine was cursed by Bydona. She's bedridden. It's only right you clear up your sister's mess."
Azena had never heard such an absurd request before. She even thought that she had misheard him.
"What did you say? Dexaldir, don't you know what the divine core is to me? Without it, I'm as good as human!"
Dexaldir furrowed his brows. "I know. I'll protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you. Once Seraphine recovers, I'll return it to you."
He spoke with complete seriousness, but his promise held no credibility at all. Whether he would return it was a whole other matter.
He added, "As long as you give me your divine core, I'll never marry anyone else other than you. Isn't that enough?"
Azena was so furious she chuckled. She pointed outside and spat, "Get lost."
They glared at each other in a stalemate. In the end, Dexaldir lowered his gaze, turned around, and left.
However, at the very next moment, he quickly turned around and stuck a binding talisman on Azena's forehead.
"Azena, you forced my hand."
He reached his hand out, about to tear Azena's divine core out of her.
I arrived just in time to witness that. I immediately summoned my whip and lashed it out at him.
"You jerks are truly shameless!"
Dexaldir staggered and was forced to stop extracting the divine core. He clutched his shoulder and looked at me with a darkened gaze.
"Bydona, just you wait…"
"Sure! I'll wait for you!"
He fled the scene.
I immediately tore the binding talisman off Azena's forehead, still reeling from what just happened.
Azena patted me on the shoulder, comforting me. "It's alright. Even if you didn't come, I would've found a way to get out of it. Have you forgotten that I'm as powerful as Guerrian?"
She was right. During the celestial trials years ago, Azena did indeed beat Guerrian.
If not for the drug they used on her in our previous life, the two of us would never have ended up so helpless.
For the next half a month, neither Guerrian nor Dexaldir appeared again.
Azena and I quietly prepared our wedding outfits.
When I went to look for Azena the night before the wedding, I spotted Guerrian and Dexaldir, immediately hiding myself in the shadows.
Dexaldir said, "Tomorrow's the wedding day. You're not planning to neglect Seraphine because of Bydona, are you?"
"Of course, not! Bydona is arrogant. Once we're married, I'll teach her a proper lesson! If she doesn't learn how to behave, then Seraphine would've suffered for nothing! What about you?"
Dexaldir replied calmly, "Once I'm married, I'll find a way to extract Azena's divine core to restore Seraphine's health. Help me when the time comes."
"Sure."
They continued discussing their plans before parting ways.
I came out from the shadows and snickered. They were never going to get what they wished for.
The Celestial Skies was lively and buzzing with celebration on the day of the wedding.
Azena and I got dressed early in the morning, standing inside the Celestial Palace. However, Guerrian and Dexaldir had not arrived. They were still in their own palaces.
Even when the servants had urged them, they moved leisurely.
"Let Bydona wait. I'm going to marry Seraphine first."
"Let Azena wait as well. I'm going to be his witness."
…
Inside the hall, whispers spread among the gathered immortals.
"It's late. Why isn't Lord Guerrian and Lord Dexaldir here yet?"
"Not only that, did you notice there are many demons and humans here today?"
Suddenly, an announcement came from the outside.
"The Lord of Humans!"
"The Lord of Frost!"
Two men in wedding suits stepped inside the palace, causing an uproar.
The Lord of Humans, Christian Loux, walked over to Azena before bowing to my father. "Lord Eses, thank you for granting this marriage."
Fytar, the Lord of Frost, walked over to me and deliberately bumped my shoulder. He shot me a teasing grin before bowing to my father as well.
"Thank you for granting this marriage, Lord Eses."
My father burst into laughter.
"It seems this decree isn't misplaced. You two couples form a good match."
When it was time to board the wedding carriage, Fytar grabbed my hand tightly as if worried I might run.
He said softly, "See? I told you we were the perfect match."
"Oh, shut up."
At that moment, two furious voices shouted from behind us.
"Bydona!"
"Azena, you've got the wrong man!"